CHR receives annual awards from peers for Leasing Consultant, Maintenance Mechanic, On-Site Property Manager, Regional Manager and Apartment Community Over 20 Years Old

CHESTNUT HILL, MA (Nov. 8, 2013) – Chestnut Hill Realty (CHR), a full-service real estate company specializing in multifamily housing, announced today that the company recently won five awards at the annual Rental Housing Association (RHA) Conference in Boston.

“I think we set an unofficial record on awards this year. It was great to hear our name called again, and again, and again,” said David Risko, Vice President of the Property Management Division at Chestnut Hill Realty. “CHR prides itself on creating an environment where the individual can thrive professionally and deliver the highest levels of customer service to our residents. To be recognized by our peers in this way is a testament to the outstanding work our people do every day.”

RHA, a division of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, represents owners and managers of some 100,000 multi-family units across Massachusetts, and gives Professional Achievement Awards and Communities of Excellence Awards every year.

Mr. Risko said that CHR had received four RHA awards last year and broke that record this year by winning a whopping five awards at the annual ceremony which was held at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center.

This year, CHR captured the following five awards:

1. Leasing Consultant: The Leasing Consultant Award went to Michael McHugh, a resident services professional at CHR’s Norwood Gardens Apartments in Norwood, MA. Mr. McHugh is a top performer whose success comes from his credo to help everyone in every way that he can. His rapport with customers has led to a lease signing closing rate greater than 40 percent. His customer service delivery extends beyond office hours and into the disciplines of property management and maintenance. He is a mentor to his peers and a valued part of the CHR team.

2. Maintenance Mechanic: The Maintenance Mechanic Award went to Nick Nelson, a maintenance technician at Norwest Woods Apartments in Norwood, MA. Mr. Nelson’s supervisor describes him as a team player, “go to guy” and strategic thinker who takes initiative. Mr. Nelson is well regarded by his peers and the residents at his property. In his own words, “If you put the needs of your residents first and mix in patience, skill and a sense of humor, everything will work out great in the end.”

3. On-Site Property Manager: Kelly Higgins, a Property Manager at CHR’s Ridgecrest Village Apartments in West Roxbury, MA, won the On-Site Property Manager Award. Ms. Higgins’ creative thinking, can-do attitude and an easy going personality that help her deal with even the most difficult situations have resulted in her successful management of an existing 389-unit property undergoing a $13 million repositioning. And during this transitional phase, she maintained an impressive 70.5 percent resident retention rate. By putting resident satisfaction at the forefront and making sure the property team knows that, it allowed Ms. Higgins to push through the multitude of challenges she faced.

4. Regional Manager: Kelly Fichtner, a Regional Manager at Chestnut Hill Realty, received the Regional Manager Award. In addition to overseeing a property portfolio with a rent roll that exceeds $18 million, Fichtner is chairperson of two internal CHR committees, and also serves on two additional committees – Maintenance, and Communication. She shares her experience and knowledge as an instructor in the company’s supervisory development program, and is a well-respected coach and mentor to her team members.

5. Community Over 20 Years Old: CHR’s Village Green Apartments in Plainville, MA, received the Apartment Community Over 20 Years Old Award. CHR acquired Village Green in 2008 and has been implementing an ambitious turnaround program ever since. Today, Village Green features beautiful landscaping and seasonal flowers. Most of the apartment units have been rehabbed and more are renovated every month. The entrance to the property has been completely transformed with new monument signage, fencing, and a center island featuring lushly planted trees and flowers. The apartment building facades and infrastructure have been upgraded with new roofs, trim, brick facades and new outside egress stairs.

About Chestnut Hill Realty:
Chestnut Hill Realty is one of New England’s leading residential real estate companies, specializing in multifamily housing. Established in 1969, CHR owns and manages more than 4,500 units in 27 apartment home communities in Greater Boston and Rhode Island. To learn more about CHR and its properties, please visit www.chestnuthillrealty.com.